Pennsylvania State University: Smeal

Full-Time Faculty Position in Earth and Environmental Sciences: Assistant Professor Programme: Earth and Environmental Sciences (two positions) School: School of Arts and Sciences Reports to: Associate Dean, Khorog Campus Duty station: Khorog, Tajikistan Deadline: 20 August 2026 Commencement Date: 1 January 2027 Contract Period: Fixed term for 2 years, renewable with potential transition to open-ended contract after 2 years Position Summary UCA is committed to developing a research-led academic environment, and candidates are expected to place research and scholarly activity at the core of their academic practice. Position I) IT, Programming, Earth and Environment The Earth and Environmental Sciences programme invites applications for a research-oriented faculty position at the intersection of Earth and environmental systems and information technologies. We seek a scientist with expertise in IT, Programming, GIS, and Remote Sensing, and a strong track record or clear potential to develop an internationally recognized research profile in these areas. The successful candidate will be expected to establish and sustain an active research programme, including publication, grant development and collaboration with regional and international partners, particularly in areas relevant to mountain systems, climate change and resource management. The candidate will contribute to interdisciplinary research initiatives across the University and play a key role in advancing UCA’s research agenda. In addition, the candidate will contribute to undergraduate teaching through the delivery of courses aligned with their expertise, will mentor students, will support the development of innovative, research-led teaching approaches, and will engage in the development of future master’s programmes in this area. Position II) Water, Soil, Environment We seek a research-active environmental scientist, pedologist, or physical geographer with a strong commitment to advancing knowledge in environmental systems relevant to mountain regions. The successful candidate will be expected to develop and sustain a coherent and externally visible research programme, including publication, grant development and engagement with regional and international research networks. The position offers the opportunity to contribute to emerging areas of research in environmental science, sustainability and natural resource management, with particular emphasis on translating scientific knowledge into practical and policy-relevant applications. Teaching responsibilities will include contributing to undergraduate courses in Soil Sciences, Environmental Science, Environmental Pollution, Water Policy and Environmental Governance. There will also be the opportunity to engage in the development and delivery of future master’s programmes in this field. It is expected that the candidate’s teaching will be informed by and integrated with the candidate’s research expertise. This position offers an opportunity to contribute to interdisciplinary research and education, to advance research in environmental systems, and to prepare students to address complex issues in sustainability and natural resource management. Desirable Attributes Research and Scholarly Activity Demonstrated ability, or strong potential, to develop an independent research agenda of international quality, including peer-reviewed publications and grant activity Capacity to contribute to collaborative and interdisciplinary research programmes, particularly those aligned with UCA’s focus on mountain systems, climate change, and sustainable development Interest in knowledge exchange, policy engagement, and applied research impact in regional contexts Teaching and Supervision Ability to deliver research-informed undergraduate teaching across core and elective courses Commitment to student supervision and mentoring, including undergraduate research projects Willingness to adopt innovative and student-centred teaching methods, aligned with a research-led curriculum Experience in Central Asia Curriculum and Academic Development Contribution to the ongoing development of a research-informed curriculum in Earth and Environmental Sciences Engagement with the development of future postgraduate programmes Collaboration and Institutional Engagement Willingness to work across programmes and units, including collaboration with UCA’s Graduate School of Development Engagement with broader academic and research communities within and beyond Central Asia About UCA’s Academic Programmes UCA’s School of Arts and Sciences combines the best of a student-centred liberal arts environment with the intellectual rigor of a research university. The faculty is committed to offering an inclusive, engaging, and dynamic academic experience, delivered in English, to ensure that students are prepared to contribute meaningfully to both regional and global challenges. UCA encourages collaborative teaching, especially across disciplines such as Economics, Media and Communications, and Computer Sciences, which provides opportunities for faculty to engage in a wide range of cross-disciplinary research. Our Graduate School of Development is actively developing postgraduate programmes and focuses on research in areas such as Environmental issues, Climate Change and Sustainability in Mountainous areas. This provides additional opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange, allowing faculty to engage with and contribute to global developments in these fields. Earth and Environmental Sciences Programme Overview The Earth and Environmental Sciences programme at UCA provides a broad scientifically focused curriculum grounded in relevant social and cultural issues important in mountain regions of Central Asia and beyond. It provides a rigorous foundation in the Earth and Environmental Sciences, while enabling students to have flexibility to choose courses and undertake research in specialized areas of interest. The transdisciplinary curriculum covers geosciences, environmental sciences, and related social sciences. At its foundation are core courses in natural sciences together with requisite courses in the humanities and social sciences. The strength of the programme lies in its breadth and cross-disciplinary nature with specific areas of study in hydrology, geodynamics, ecology, and environmental policy and abundant opportunities for field trips in the proximate mountains. An overarching theme of the EES Program is understanding the environmental and earth science processes that shape mountain settings, as well as how these interact with mountain communities and livelihoods. Some of the practical topics covered include sustainable management of natural resources; natural hazard mitigation; food security; climate change adaptation; water resources and sustainable energy alternatives. Students receive practical training outside of the classroom in laboratory exercises, summer internships, and in a senior project (diploma thesis), which prepares them for career opportunities or graduate study in earth and environmental science fields. UCA Background: The University of Central Asia (UCA) was founded in 2000 as a private, not for profit, secular university through an International Treaty signed by the Presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, and His Late Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV; ratified by their respective parliaments and registered with the United Nations. The Presidents are the Patrons of the University and His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V is the Chancellor. UCA’s mission is to promote the social and economic development of Central Asia, particularly its mountain communities, by offering an internationally recognized standard of higher education and enabling the peoples of the region to preserve their rich cultural heritage as assets for the future. UCA is distinguished by its three schools: the undergraduate School of Arts and Sciences (SAS), the Graduate School of Development (GSD), and the School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE). For more information: www.ucentralasia.org Minimum Qualifications Ph.D. from a reputable university with specialization in Earth and Environmental Sciences and a clear potential for high-level research, particularly in collaborative settings. Fluency in English is required. Potential to develop a profile of national and international repute in research publication, knowledge exchange, impact and grant capture. Why Join UCA? Impactful Teaching and Research: Contribute to an academic institution that is dedicated to fostering innovation and development in Central Asia and beyond. Collaboration and Growth: Be part of a diverse, interdisciplinary academic environment, with opportunities for collaboration and research across multiple fields of societal relevance. Regional Leadership: Lead the development of innovative solutions to regional challenges in climate adaptation, sustainable development, technology, data science, and digital policy. Support for Female Scholars: UCA is deeply committed to supporting all scholars in all fields, providing opportunities to further advance gender equity in academia. Teaching experience requirements: Demonstrated ability to contribute to undergraduate teaching informed by research expertise Commitment to high-quality teaching and student learning Experience (or readiness) to contribute to curriculum delivery in an interdisciplinary environment at both undergraduate and postgraduate level Research experience requirements: Evidence of research capability, including publications or high-qualty publication pipeline linked to doctoral or postdoctoral work Clear potential to develop externally funded research activity Experience, or strong interest, in collaborative and interdisciplinary research Willingness to contribute to research-led teaching and supervision of student research projects Awareness of current and future industry trends and a willingness to engage with the public and private sector. How to Apply: Please submit the following documents : Up-to-date resume Cover Letter  List of published work and link to the google scholar profile  List of at least three references who may comment on your teaching/research experience  Teaching evaluations (if applicable) on https://tinyurl.com/bdcvxhvz by 20 August 2026. Applications will be reviewed when received. Early applications are strongly encouraged. Review other job vacancies at: https://tinyurl.com/3yhe9wkt